International Space Station Welcomes New Crew, Expanding Onboard Presence

NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday, November 27, 2025. Their arrival marks a significant moment for international space collaboration, as reported by nasa. This mission expands the orbiting laboratory's crew to ten members for the next two weeks, facilitating a period of increased research and operational activities.

The trio launched aboard the Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft from the historic Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, according to a report by Xinhua. The journey to the ISS was swift, with the Soyuz MS-28 completing a two-orbit, three-hour trajectory before docking with the station's Rassvet module. This efficient transit underscores the reliability of the Soyuz system in crew transport.

For NASA's Chris Williams and Roscosmos's Sergei Mikaev, this mission represents their inaugural journey into space, as confirmed by space.com. Kud-Sverchkov, however, is undertaking his second spaceflight, bringing valuable experience to the Expedition 73/74 crew. Their combined expertise will be crucial for the scientific endeavors planned during their approximately eight-month stay.

The addition of three new crew members temporarily increases the ISS population to ten, a configuration that allows for intensive handover procedures and accelerated research timelines. NASA states that the station typically hosts a crew of seven, but can accommodate more during these transitional periods. This expanded crew will maximize the scientific output and maintenance efforts on the orbiting outpost.

This joint mission highlights the ongoing and vital cooperation between NASA and Roscosmos, which has been a cornerstone of ISS operations for decades. Space Daily reported in December 2023 that both agencies agreed to continue cross-flights until at least 2025, ensuring a continuous presence of both American and Russian crew members on the station. Such agreements are critical for maintaining the ISS's operational reliability.

The crew's arrival on Thanksgiving Day added a unique touch to the mission, with the new arrivals joining the existing seven-member crew for a celebratory meal. Robert Pearlman, a space historian, noted that while not the first Thanksgiving in space, it was the first time a crew launched and docked on the holiday. This moment of camaraderie underscores the human element of space exploration.

• Astronaut and Cosmonaut Backgrounds: NASA astronaut Chris Williams, a medical physicist selected in 2021, embarks on his first spaceflight as a flight engineer for Expedition 73/74, following extensive research in astrophysics and medical physics at institutions like MIT and Harvard Medical School. Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Kud-Sverchkov is on his second mission, having previously served on Soyuz MS-17 for Expedition 63/64 in 2020, bringing seasoned experience to the crew. Sergei Mikaev, a former military pilot selected by Roscosmos in 2018, is also making his debut spaceflight, contributing to the diverse skill set of the new arrivals.

• Soyuz MS-28 Mission Details: The Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft, with the call sign "Gyrfalcon," launched atop a Soyuz 2.1a rocket from Site 31/6 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The mission is expected to last approximately eight months, with the crew returning to Earth in the summer of 2026. Preparations for the launch began in early October 2025, including rigorous testing of the spacecraft's systems, as detailed by Spacefacts.de.

• International Cooperation on the ISS: The joint mission underscores the enduring international partnership that sustains the International Space Station, involving five space agencies from 15 countries. Despite geopolitical tensions, NASA and Roscosmos have consistently renewed agreements for integrated crew missions, with the latest extension confirmed until at least 2025, according to space.com. This collaboration ensures that each crewed spacecraft docked to the station includes trained members for both the Russian and U.S. operating segments, maintaining the station's reliability.

• Significance of Expanded Crew: The temporary increase to ten crew members on the ISS allows for a more robust schedule of scientific research and maintenance tasks. Historically, the ISS has been continuously inhabited since November 2000, with a standard crew of seven, but can accommodate more during crew handover periods. This larger crew enables complex operations, such as the installation of new equipment and the execution of multiple experiments simultaneously, maximizing the station's utility as a microgravity laboratory.

• Mission Objectives and Research: During their eight-month tenure, the newly arrived crew members will engage in a variety of scientific experiments and operational tasks. NASA astronaut Chris Williams is specifically slated to install and test a new modular workout system designed for long-duration missions and contribute to developing new re-entry safety protocols. Additionally, the crew will conduct experiments aimed at improving the efficiency of cryogenic fuels, as reported by India Today. Roscosmos also plans over 40 experiments under the Russian program, including two spacewalks in April and June 2026 to install new instruments and perform maintenance.

• Potential Launch Infrastructure Concerns: Following the Soyuz MS-28 launch, reports emerged from Ukrainian National News (UNN), citing Meduza and rocket launch analyst Georgy Trishkin, of significant damage to launch pad 31 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Trishkin stated that the service cabin collapsed and structures fell under the launch pad, raising concerns about Russia's immediate ability to conduct future manned missions from this critical site. Roscosmos has not yet issued an official reaction to these reports, which could have implications for subsequent Soyuz and Progress launches.

• Future of ISS Operations: The International Space Station, initially planned to operate until 2024, has seen its operational lifespan extended, with Roscosmos and NASA agreeing to continue operations until at least 2028, and U.S. officials expressing a desire to continue until 2030. This extension underscores the continued value of the ISS for scientific research and as a testbed for future deep-space exploration, including missions to the Moon and Mars. The station continues to be a vital platform for international collaboration in space.